Lancaster County supervisors received a multi‑part update on the Windmill Point/Westland Beach maritime campus on July 31, confirmed funding awards for shoreline resilience, approved construction change orders and signage, and accepted a county‑purchased pier fishing license that removes the need for individual saltwater licenses for anglers on the pier.

Parks staff said phase 1 construction (boardwalk, parking, comfort station) is well under way and phase 2 (comfort station building, parking lot and pier connection) has a target substantial completion date of Nov. 1. Staff said the county has obtained roughly $1.6 million from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund for shoreline protection and beach/dune restoration, plus additional grants including approximately $100,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation and a separate $350,000 award for living shoreline implementation on Westland Beach and Taylor Creek. Taken together, staff described “roughly $2,000,000 in grant funding” to support resilience and amenities.

During construction, the county approved three change orders for phase 2 to address a recommended fixture change for flood‑prone locations and two items created when an underground Dominion line was found out of its expected location. County staff confirmed the board ratified an administrative approval and approved additional change orders totaling $27,603.49 to keep phase 2 moving.

Supervisors also approved two signs for the project with language that includes “Westland Beach and Fishing Pier.” County staff asked supervisors to choose a project title; the board agreed to include “Westland Beach” as part of the sign title. Parks staff said contractor‑grade PVC signs will match other durable county signage.

Olivia Hall, a county staff member who worked on grant applications, told the board the county had secured a saltwater license for the pier so “you do not need a saltwater license to fish on our pier now.” She said the county purchased the annual license and will post a copy on the county website and on signage so visitors can confirm the license. Staff noted the license does not guarantee catches, only that fishing from the pier is covered by the license for visitors and guests.

Parks staff also outlined additional projects: Taylor Creek (site design complete; bids to be advertised in September, with award and preconstruction through late 2025 and a construction period into 2026), Chesapeake Trail Park (NEPA field work completed; JPA in development), Carter Cove Park (site design in progress, with bids targeted in 2026), and Hills Quarter Tennis/Pickleball plans. Staff described a planned pre‑construction conference and timelines for several park projects.

Board members asked about the Dominion underground line that affected phase 2 and were told the contractor shifted the building 12 feet away from the water and relocated an electrical box to avoid delays rather than waiting for Dominion’s relocation process. Supervisors ratified administrative approvals and approved the change orders and signage by motion and recorded vote.

The board was told a check ceremony with Friends of the Rappahannock and legislators would occur on Aug. 8 at the beach to highlight grant awards, and that a press release and radio spot were planned.